Electric Transportation and Infrastructure

Electric car charging station

As electric transportation moves from the drawing boards to production of operating electric vehicles, battery technology must
continue to advance, charging stations and infrastructure must be built, and the entire system must be integrated into the power grid. TVA is conducting research to make sure this transition is a success. Our research focuses on:

developing technologies to make electric cars and their charging
stations work together efficiently

dealing with the impact of charging stations on the power grid

finding ways, such as solar-assisted charging and distributed
energy storage, to minimize demands on the grid

refining power system control processes to maximize energy efficiency and take advantage of the environmental benefits of electric transportation

developing smart charging strategies to help TVA and
regional power distributors maximize the potential of electricity
to replace petroleum as the transportation fuel of choice.

TVA is working with the Electric Power Research Institute, Oak Ridge
National Laboratory, local power distributors and regional stakeholders
to develop fast, efficient stations where drivers can recharge their
cars. We are also working with industry to research the recycling
of car batteries to help meet demand placed on the power grid by
the charging stations.

Building the Stations

The TVA SMART Station deployment, powered in part by solar energy, will supplement the network of charging stations developed by ECOtality
North America and regional stakeholders across Knoxville, Nashville
and Chattanooga, TN.

The design for the first prototype, known as the Smart Modal Area Recharge Terminal, or SMART station, features power generation by solar photovoltaic panels, stationary battery storage of power and key elements of smart grid technology.

TVA and its partners are making the SMART station
design public at no charge so that communities and developers across
the country can take advantage of best practices developed there.

Electric Transportation in the News

Electric Car Interview

Hear
an interview with TVA Senior Manager for Transportation and Infrastructure James Ellis about
electric transportation.